A pile of fun: Friends Maddie, Nico, and Sofia carve an elaborate fort out of a neighbor's snow mound.
Pedestrian Safety: The Next Step
How to make our streets safer for pedestrians is the topic of District 10's next Sunday Series presentation, on March 18. Fay Simer, the city's new pedestrian safety advocate, and Sgt. Jeremy Ellison, who leads enforcement in the citywide Stop for Me campaign, share their ideas and invite yours.
It's one of the first public presentations as Saint Paul rolls out how it will develop a formal, citywide pedestrian plan. "Pedestrian Safety: The Next Step" is next Sunday, March 18, from 1-2:30 p.m., in the upstairs auditorium at the Como Zoo and Conservatory's Visitors Center. It's free.
Saint Paul is surveying residents on their walking priorities. Take the survey
It's Your Neighborhood: Make a Difference
Eight positions on the Como Community Council board are up for election this April -- and incumbents are not seeking re-election in at least six of them. That makes this year a great opportunity for new activists -- because you can run for an open seat without.
Positions up for election:
vice-chair
treasurer
one representative from each of the four geographical sub-districts
two at-large representatives from the community as a whole
Any resident of District 10 who is age 18 or older is eligible. So are authorized representatives from a business or nonprofit organization in District 10. If you are interested, fill out the application by Tuesday April 10. Terms run until April 2020.
Alright, Dog Lovers, Step Forward
District 10's Land Use Committee is creating a work group to explore whether it's feasible to establish an
off-leash dog park or exercise area in Como.
If you are interested in joining the group, email us your name and contact information.
Buying a Home -- the Correct Way
Looking to nail down all the essentials before house shopping? NeighborWorks Home Partners may be what you're looking for, especially if you're doing this for the first time.
At the nonprofit's Home Stretch workshops, Realtors, loan officers, home inspectors, and insurance agents sketch out the entire home-buying process. The next workshop is this Saturday, March 10, at 8:30 a.m. at NeighborWorks' offices, 533 Dale St. Registration is $40. Upcoming workshops in Saint Paul include March 24, April 14, May 5, and May 19.
You can also schedule a one-on-one session with a home ownership adviser, who can cut to the nitty-gritty on budgeting, credit, mortgages, and the rest of the financial maze.
Last Chance: What Do You Think?
Saint Paul Parks and Recreation plans to build a
pedestrian crosswalk across Lexington Parkway, near the parking lots for the Golf Course and Lakeside Pavilion. District 10 is exploring residents' priorities about the proposal and some potential options.
Take our survey -
- but do it this weekend. We close it down Sunday night.
Improve Your Credit Score
Learn how to understand and improve your credit and credit score at a free
Financial Literacy Workshop on Wednesday March 21. Join LSS Financial Counseling and TopLine Federal Credit Union for a workshop to learn:
How to get and read your credit report
How your credit score is calculated and ways to increase your score
Ways to offset negative credit and build good credit
Your fair credit reporting rights and how to correct errors
The workshop begins at 6 p.m. on March 21 at the Como Park Streetcar Station, which is at the northeast corner of Lexington and Horton. To register, call 763-391-9494.
Photo: Milwaukee Magazine
Grab Your Piece of the Action
Want to protect part of Como Park? Then think about becoming an
EcoSteward for the Woodland Outdoors Classroom. EcoStewards oversee their own parcel of the woodland, preserving or restoring the land's natural elements. You work on your own schedule (typically 4-8 hours a month during the growing season); Parks and Recreation provides the training and tools you need.
Training for this season is Thursday March 22 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. If you're interested,
email coordinator Tricia Wehrle (or call her at 651-632-2411) to ask questions, cover expectations, and sign up.
Rec Centers Offer More than Athletics
Our local rec centers have two special events this month.
Shamrock Shake Dance: This dance for children ages 7-11 (plus their adult guardian) is next Friday, March 16, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. at Northwest Como Recreation Center. Registration is $10; call the center at 651-298-5813 or stop in at 1550 N. Hamline.
Lunch with the Bunny: This family celebration at North Dale Recreation Center includes lunch, an egg hunt, and a craft project. It's Saturday March 24 at 11:30 a.m. Registration is $2 ($5 per family); call 651-558-2329 or stop in at 1414 N. St. Albans.
St. Paul Blades girls hockey -- a cooperative program of the city's public high schools and middle schools -- is running a
summer camp for girls going into grades 6-8. Players of all skill levels are welcome.
The camp is July 16-20, from 2:15-3:15 p.m., at Drake Arena, 1712 Randolph Ave. Cost is $85. For details, see the Blades' website.
Bruce Williams, Brandon Riddley, and Pierre Douglas. Photo: Growler Magazine
No Need to Stifle Those Laughs
You won't get shushed at the library this week when Pierre Douglas, Brandon Riddley, and Bruce Williams do
stand-up comedy in an unexpected place. The free performances are:
This Thursday, March 15, from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Rice Street branch, 1011 Rice St.
Next Sunday, March 18, from 2-3:30 p.m. at the George Latimer Central Library, 90 W. 4th St.
A Babycakes Blackberry shrub is one of the tree sale options.
A Tree for You, but We Benefit, Too
The annual
tree sale is under way from
Friends of the Parks and Trails of St. Paul and Ramsey County. The sale offers 15 locally grown, hardy selections of trees, shrubs, roses, and vines. Prices range from $30-$75; all proceeds benefit parks and trails in the city and county.
New this year: a columnar serviceberry selected to fit smaller urban yards. If you want to truly eat locally, the selection also includes options such as two blueberries, a thornless blackberry, a cherry tree, and a grape vine.
You can order for yourself, as a gift for someone else, or as a donation to a park. That final option is especially important when public land is losing so many trees -- ash and otherwise.
You can place your order now through April 20. Pick up is May 5 at the county fairgrounds in Maplewood.
Way Beyond Meetings
This Sunday, March 11: Daylight Savings Time starts. Move your clocks ahead one hour for more light at night.
This Tuesday, March 13: Citizen workshop on Mississippi River corridor planning, 5:30-7:30 p.m. Wellstone Center, 179 Robie St. E. Free
This Tuesday, March 13: Como Regional Park Advisory Committee, 6:30 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station. The agenda includes updates on tree removal on the golf course, Spring Cafe moving into the Lakeside Pavilion, and District 10's Pathways work group.
This Wednesday, March 14: Great River School Soiree, 6-9 p.m. Can-Can Wonderland, 755 Prior Ave. $40
This Thursday, March 15: Walk and Talk, 9-11 a.m. Lisa Kane, director of the Como Park Falcon Heights Living at Home Block Nurse Program, joins you on the indoor track at North Dale Rec Center, 1414 N. St. Albans. Need a ride? Call 651-642-1127.
Once the snow thaws, here are other events in the works in District 10:
Sunday April 15: District 10 Sunday Series: Crime Prevention through Landscape Design, 1-2:30 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station.
Friday April 20: Lyngblomsten Foundation
Spring Gala, 5:30 p.m. Vadnais Heights Commons, 655 E. County Road F. $50 before March 31; $75 after that.
Saturday April 21: Parks and Recreation Spring Cleanup, 9-11:30 a.m., Como Lakeside Pavilion.
Saturday May 5: Como Community Seed Library May Mosaic, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Como Park Streetcar Station.
Saturday May 19: Rain Barrel Workshop, 1-3 p.m. Twin Cities German Immersion School.
Sunday June 3: District 10 Sunday Series: Como Park Tree Trek, 1-2:30 p.m. Outside the Lakeside Pavilion.
Saturday June 9: Citywide Drop-Off, 8 a.m.-1 p.m. State Fairgrounds.
Saturday June 16: Como Neighborhood Garage Sale.
Saturday June 23: Workshop on Curb-Cut Rain Gardens, 9 a.m.-noon. Como Park Streetcar Station.
All Good Things Come to an End
The Marjorie McNeely Conservatory's
Music Under Glass series concludes this Sunday, March 11, with the garage rock of Chris "Heatwave" Holm and Mark "Landman" Larson. Their performance, from 4:30-6:30 p.m., is free. There's a cash bar for beer, wine, soft drinks, and snacks.
The Weekend Watch at the Fairgrounds
Outdoor News Deer and Turkey Classic: Today-Sunday, March 9-11, Warner Coliseum. 1-9 p.m. today, 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Admission: $12 adults and teens 16 or older; $5 youth ages 10-15; free for children 9 or younger. Discounts available.
Minnesota Saddlebred Horse Association Horsemanship Clinic: This Saturday-Sunday, March 10-11, AgStar Arena. 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
Photo: Star Tribune
Get Rid of Graffiti -- Fast!
Graffiti is like Creeping Charlie -- it takes over if we don't respond quickly. Police give this advice:
If you see graffiti, report it. Call 651-266-8989.
If you see someone applying graffiti, call the police: 651-291-1111 or 911.
If someone paints graffiti on your property, cover it as quickly as possible -- within 48 hours is best. Prompt, persistent removal minimizes chances of it becoming an epidemic. To get rid of graffiti:
Aluminum siding: For latex paint, use a solvent such as Goof Off. For oil-based paint, use a solvent such as Klean Strip or Strip X.
Brick or concrete: Apply an extra-strength paint remover. Scrub with a wire brush, then spray with a power washer or strong stream of water. Repeat as needed.
Fiberglass: Use carburetor cleaner or a solvent such as Goof Off, Klean Strip or Strip X.
Glass or Plexiglass: Apply carburetor cleaner with a cloth rag.
Metal: Try carburetor cleaner. If that doesn't work, use a solvent such as Klean Strip or Strip X.
Stucco: Use a heavy-duty paint remover such as Peel Away. Then spray with a power washer or strong stream of water. Seal the area with a primer such as Kilz. When dry, apply stucco paint.
Wood: First, cover it with a primer such as Kilz. This seals the graffiti so it won't bleed through. Paint the surface with the identical or similar color. To minimize the "patchwork" look, paint a larger area than the graffiti covered. If the wood is stained or varnished, spray on a solvent such as Klean Strip, then wipe it off with a cloth rag.
District 10 is one of Saint Paul's 17 citizen participation districts. The District 10 Como Community Council is a nonprofit organization, governed by a Board of Directors who are elected by members of the community. The Council's mission is to inform, educate, and connect the neighborhood to increase community pride and confidence.
You are receiving this email because you expressed interest in District 10 activities.
